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then its territories would in all probability have fallen into the hands of a syndicate of Anierican fur-traders. He was the first really to point out the possibility of a transcontinental railway, and in 1869 defined a feasible route for it from Mon- treal to the Pacific. He also presented three routes, giving estimates of distances and heights. When, under the terms of union with British Columbia, an exploration was set on foot by the Canadian government, Sandford Fleming, the chief engi- neer, put himself in communication with Mr. Mc- Leod, who rendered valuable assistance in connec- tion with the preliminary survey for the Canadian Pacific railway. He has published "' The Peace River," from his father's journal and his own ob- servations while living in the Rocky mountains (Ottawa, 1872) ; five pamphlets on the " Pacific Railway," under the pen-name of " Britannicus " (1874-'80) ; and " Problem of Canada " (1880). MACLOSKIE, Oeorge, naturalist, b. in Castle- dawson, County Londonderry, Ireland, 14 Sept., 1884. He was educated at Queen's college, Belfast, where he received a gold medal in natural science in 1857, and in physical science in 1858. Subse- quently he studied theology, and became a Presby- terian clergyman, having charge of the parish of Ballygoney during 1861-'73, and then was secretary of the Bible and colportage society during 1873-'5. He was called to the chair of biology in Princeton in 1874, and has since held that professorship. Prof. Macloskie has received the honorary degree of D. Sc. from Queen's university, and that of LL. D. from London university, where in 1871 he received a gold medal for special excellence in a law- examination. He is a member of various scientific societies, and is a fellow of the American associ- ation for the advancement of science. His writ- ings include papers on insects and on botany in the " American Naturalist " and " Psyche," and he has published " Elementary Botany " (New York, 1883 ; 2d ed.. 1887).

MACLURE, William, geologist, b. in Ayr, Scotland, in 1763 ; d. in San Angel, Mexico, 23 March, 1840. He visited New York in 1782, but soon returned to London, where be became a partner in the firm of Miller, Hart and Co., and rapidly acquired a fortune. In 1796 he returned to the'United States, and in 1803 he served abroad as one of the commissioners to settle the French spoliation claims of American citizens. While in Europe he became interested in geology, and col- lected objects in natural history. On his return he undertook the geological survey of the entire country, depending on his private resources and observations, and at a time when geology was not regarded as a science, so that but few sympathized with his motives. He visited nearly every part of the country, and crossed the Alleghanies fifty times. In "January, 1809, he presented his " Ob- servations on the "Geology of the United States, explanatory of a G-eological Map," before the American philosophical society, and so the matter came before the public. He continued his explo- rations, and in 1817 again discussed this subject before the same society, presenting his map. Its publication, with the description, attracted much attention, and he was styled the " father of Ameri- can geology." He became a member of the Acade- my of natural sciences soon after its organization in 1812, and was its president from 1817 till his death. Its library and museum were enriched by his books— nearly 5,000 volumes— and his speci- mens, making a collection that was unequalled in the United States. His contributions to the so- ciety in money aggregated $25,000, and by means of them it was able to complete its edifice on Broad street, Philadelphia. In 1816-'17 he visited the West India islands to study their geology, and he published subsequently an account of twenty visits to those islands. He went to France in 1819, and then to Spain, where he proposed to establish a great agricultural school for the lower classes, in which labor should be combined with moral and intellectual culture. He purchased land near Ali- cante, and erected buildings ; but on the overthrow of the revolutionary government the land reverted to the church, from which it had been confiscated. In 1824 he returned to the United States, and, associating with him Thomas Say, Gerard Troost, and other scientists, attempted to carry out a similar plan in New Harmony, Ind. For several years Mr. Maclure continued his efforts, in hope of bringing the school into operation, but without success. In 1827 he went to Mexico in failing health, and continued to reside there until his death, with occasional visits to the United States. He was president of the American geological society in 1828. Mr. Maclure (contributed numerous papers to the "American Journal of Science," and published " Opinions on Various Subjects," devoted mainly to questions of political economy (3 vols., New Harmony, 1837).

MacMAHON, Bernard, horticulturist, b. in Ireland about 1775 ; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 16 Sept., 1816. He came to the United States in 1796, and settled in Philadelphia, where, in 1809, he founded a botanic garden, which he named Upsal. Mr. MacMahon was one of the first suc- cessful gardeners of the United States, a man of education, and devoted to his profession. He published "The American Gardener's Calendar" (1806; 11th ed., revised by John Jay Smith, 1857).

McMAHON, John Van Lear, lawyer, b. in Mai-yland in 1800 ; d. in Cumberland. Md., 15 June, 187l". He was graduated at Princeton in 1817, studied law. and was admitted to the bar in 1821. He served in the state legislature, and, possessing rare personal ad- vantages, soon gained reputa- tion as a political speaker, as well as a high place in his profession. He adapted the old turnpike laws of Maryland to the new condi- tion of aft'airs caused by the incorporation of the Baltimore and Ohio rail- road, and was for some years its

counsel. He is

said to have contributed more than any other to the prosperity of the Jackson party in Maryland, but subsequently deserted it on the U. S. bank question. He took a conspicuous part in the canvass of 1840, and presided at a great ratification meeting, where Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and William C. Preston made speeches. The failure of his eyesight compelled him to relinquish his profession about 1855, and much of his later life was spent in Ohio. St. John's college, Annapolis, gave him the degree of LL. D. in 1869. He published " An Historical View of Maryland," which is a standard authority on the early history of the province (Baltimore, 1831).